Book2:KigdomIteDreams
surroundedAmalia,coaxiotakinghersedative,wheedliogoingupstairstoherroom.Theretheysoothed,coddledandwaitedoiltheyhadhersettledinherbed.EveheydidnotdaretoleaveheraloneincaseshegotitintoherheadtogofindDimitriandactupagain.TheyknewDimitriwasanxiousandworried,sotheywaosavehimanyunnecessarydisturbaheytoldAmaliastoriesandjokesandtriedtokeephermindoccupied.MeggidownstairsaDimitrioutofthesmallsteroom.Thetwoofthemsatsilentlyinthebackyard. “Somethingmayhappentonight”saidMegginn“soIdecidedtostayhereforthenightinsteadofgoingback.” “Butit’ssocrowdedhere!” “Itdoesn’tmatter.Themorethemerrieranditfeelscozyandintimatetobewithmysisteragain.”Dimitrinoddedanddidnotreply. “IfI’mnotmistakes”tinuedMegginn“therewillbemoresistersfromtheKingdomjoiningusatthegirls’dormhere.AmIright?” “Isthatso?Ithinkyouhavesomeinklingofwhat’sgoingtohappen.”Megginnnoddedawoofthemsatthereinsilence. “QueenAishaalwayssaidthatMegginnwaslikeabeautifulpeonyinfullbloom.”Dimitrithought.“Sheisright.Megginnisadazzling,colorfundartlesspeony.Ordinarilysheishappyandcarefreeasayounggirl,butwhehinghappens,shesobersupandbeesaresolute,sharpandquick-wittedstrongwoman.Sheisreallyagreathelperheavenhassentme.” Anear-gratingscreegoftiressplitthesilehenight.RichardandJamazwalkinginunsteadilyonwobblyfeet,quiteobviouslyintoxicated. “Whyarethetwoofyousote?”beratedDimitri.“Ihavebeeernoonandmostofthenight!” 10 “Thingswerenotaseasyasweexpected”repliedRichard.“Wemetsomeloaferswhoalsoloiteraroundstreet